Liquid dispenser-container

ABSTRACT

The dispenser has an inlet and an outlet with a venturi connecting the inlet and outlet, the venturi having a converging portion, a reduced portion and a diverging portion. An annular chamber surrounds the reduced portion having ports extending therethrough. A duct in the dispenser leads from the chamber and opens through the bottom of the dispenser, which bottom has parallel guides formed in its edges. A removable liquid chemical container having a top adapter plate is slidably inserted in the guides, and the container has a suction tube therein adapted to register with the duct; also a vent duct in said adapter opens to the atmosphere and communicates with the interior of the container. A main pipe connects a liquid pressure source with the dispenser inlet. A valved bypass is provided around the venturi for controlling the degree of suction within the annular chamber around the reduced portion thereof, thereby controlling the amount of liquid chemical drawn into the liquid passing to the outlet of the dispenser.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Sanford S. Shapiro 7009 Rivol Road,Canoga Park, Calif. 91304 2| Appl. No. 886,241 [22] Filed Dec. 18, 1969[45] Patented July 27, I971 [54] LIQUID DISPENSER-CONTAINER 15 Claims,10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 222/133, 222/193, 137/205.5, 137/268 [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/56[50] Field olSearch 222/187, 188,193, 204,416, 564. 133 I45; l37/268,564.5, 205.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,165,114 1/1965 Garrettl37/268 2,766,910 10/1956 Bauerlein 222/193 X Primary Examiner-Samuel E.Coleman Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky ArromeyAlexander & DowellABSTRACT: The dispenser has an inlet and an outlet with a venturiconnecting the inlet and outlet, the venturi having a convergingportion, a reduced portion and a diverging portion. An annular chambersurrounds the reduced portion having ports extending therethrough. Aduct in the dispenser leads from the chamber and opens through thebottom of the dispenser, which bottom has parallel guides formed in itsedges. A removable liquid chemical container having a top adapter plateis slidably inserted in the guides, and the container has a suction tubetherein adapted to register with the duct; also a vent duct in saidadapter opens to the atmosphere and communicates with the interior ofthe container. A main pipe connects a liquid pressure source with thedispenser inlet. A valved bypass is provided around the venturi forcontrolling the degree of suction within the annular chamber around thereduced portion thereof, thereby controlling the amount of liquidchemical drawn into the liquid passing to the outlet of the dispenser.

PATENTEI] JUL27 I971 SHEET 2 [IF 5 ATTORN I-IYS PATENTEU JUL27 nan SHEET3 BF 5 INVENTOBS //WMW S. C

PATENTED JUL27 i971 3,595,442

SHEET b 0F 5 INVENTORS mlmms PATENTED JUL27 19m SHEET 5 OF 5 FIG. 9

A may fLi Um DISPENSER-CONTAINER 1 DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION soaps,bleaches, and fabric conditioners into the input flow of water passingintowashing machines and the like.

The principal object of my invention. is to provide both liquiddispenser and a unique container which is easily at,- tached tothedispenser, both the dispenser and the container being characterized bynovel designs whose simplicity result in significant manufacturingeconomies. The dispenser automatically dispenses into thehigh-pr'essurewater flow through it, the liquid chemical content of the containerattached to it. Since there are no moving parts associatedwith itsoperation, it possesses extremely high reliability. v

I will explain the invention with reference to panying drawings whichillustrateseveral practical embodiments thereof, to enable othersfamiliar with the art to adopt and use the same,and will summarize inthe claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations ofparts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings: I n

FIG. 1' is a perspective .view of a preferred form of a dispenseraccording to my invention. V l

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of one half of the dispenser shown therefortherein. Y 6

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the venturi tube of thedispenser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the tube shown in FIG. 3.

. FIG. '5 is a perspective view of a preferred liquid container andattached adapter used withthe dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is'a cross-sectional view through an alternate design of theliquid dispenser which includes a built-in adjustable bypass for thecontrol of the suctionrate. v

FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating the preferred embodimentshownin FIGS. 1 and installed in a lawn or garden.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the alternate embodimentshown in FIG.'6 installed in a lawn or garden.

FIG. 9, is a plan view showing an arrangement of several liquiddispensers with attached liquid containers installed next in FIG.showing the venturitube inserted in. the bore to a house in a lawn orgarden.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified adapter with aconventional screw-top liquid container connected to 1 The operationofthe liquid dispenser is dependent upon a venturi having a convergingtube combined with a diverging tube and can be explained mathematicallythrough the usage 'of the Bernoulli theorem. Bernoulli showed that theconverging and diverging tubes are efficient devices for convertingpressurehead to velocity head and for converting velocity head topressure head respectively.

Bernoulli's theorem states that (P/W)+Z+( stant where 'P fluid pressurein pounds per square foot. W specif c weight of fluid in pounds percubic foot. 2 elevation above any arbitrary datum plane in feet. vmean'velocityof fluidin feet per second. g =acceleration of gravity=32.174 feet per square second. I I

Applying Bernoulli's theorem to any diverging tube whose axis ishorizontal (sothat Z is constant on both sides of the to decr'e ase. I

the accom- The invention comprises liquid dispenser l and attachedliquid container 31. In one preferred embodiment (FIG. 7),

f the system of the subject invention is attached to household waterinlet line 42 by means of antisiphon valve 41 and outside .line 43.Outside line 43 enters liquiddispenser 1. Line l4 leaves liquiddispenser l and joins with'bypass line 12 forming line 44.

The high-pressure water from line 43 enters the liquid dispenser l atinput port 2 (FIG. 1). The water travels through venturi tube 5 which isclamped between the halves of dispenser 1. Tube 5 converges into tube 19converting presthe liquid dispenser 1 at output port 3, into sprinklerline 44,

andthen out the individual sprinkler heads 46 (FIG. 7). Tube 19 divergesinto tube 20 (FIGS. 1 and 3) converting velocity headbackto pressurehead. The converging tube 5 and the diverging tube 20 are thus efficientdevices for converting pressure head to velocity head and for convergingvelocity head back to pressure head. The net result is that liquidchemical is drawn into the high-pressure water flowing between inputport 2 and output port 3, and with a small pressure dropbetween thosetwo ports.

Bypass line 12 (FIG. 7) allows a portion of the water flow out ofantisiphon valve 41' to bypass the liquid dispenser l.

'The portion'of the water that bypasses the liquid dispenser l iscontrolled'by hand valve 13. Since the pressure in tube 19 is dependentupon the water flow through the liquid dispenser 1,

hand valve l3actually controls the rate at which the liquid chemical isdrawn from container 31 into the high-pressure water flowing betweeninput port 2 and output port 3 of dispenser 1. v

5 An alternate embodiment of the system of the subject invention isshown in FIG. 8, the same being attached to household water line 42 bymeans of antisiphon valve 41 and outside line 43. FIG. 8 also shows aninstallation of the alternate design of the liquid dispenser 22 withliquid container 31 attached. The high-pressure water from line 43enters the liquid dispenser 22 at input port 24 (FIG. 6). The watertravels from port 24 into a tube 50, which tube divides into sections 51and 53 (FIG. 6). The portion of the water in tube 50 that enters section51 is dependent upon the position of valve 55 in section 53. when valve55 has been manually turned by handle 10 so as to position'aperture 54aligned with the flow of water in section 53, a relatively small portionof the water in tube 50 will enter section 51. When aperture 54 isperpendicular to the flow of water in section 53, section 53 iseffectively closed and all the water in tube 50 must go to section 51.The effect of valve 55, in the alternate design of the liquid dispenser,is thus to provide an adjustable bypass for section 51. It functions ina similar manner as does valve 13 in the installation of the preferredform of dispenser shown in FIG. 7, which is a less costly dispenser. Thepressure at tube 26 (FIG. 6) of section 51 is dependent upon thevelocity of fluid passing through it. When valve 55 is opened to bypassthe flow through section 51, the velocity of fluid passing tube 26 isdecreased thus increasing the pressure at tube 26. Tube 51 converges totube 26 converting pressure head to velocity head; The pressure at the10 ports 27 in tube 26 is below atmospheric causing liquid chemical fromthe liquid container 31 to be sucked up through tube 35 (FIG. 5) throughtube 28 (FIG. 6) in dispenser 22, through cavity 7 surrounding tube 26,through ports 27, through tube 26, through diverging tube 52, throughpassage 57, and out of the liquid dispenser 22 at output port 25, intosprinkler line 44 and out the individual sprinkler heads 46. In FIG. 6,web 56 in the bore of the dispenser acts to form the two separatepassages 51 and 53in in the hand and guiding the extended or flanged topadapter plate 21 (FIG. 5) of container 31, into and along tracks 40(FIGS. I and 2) or tracks 66 (FIG. 6). As container 31 is thus insertedinto the liquid dispenser 1 or 22 with extended top adapter plate 21engaging track 40 or 66, first only the thin section 29 (FIG. 5) of topadapter plate 21 is engaged, then the thick section 30 (FIG. 5) of topadapter plate 21 is engaged. In the top of the thick portion 30 of topadapter plate 21 is an opening 33 into the tube 35 which tube terminatesnear the bottom of container 31. In the top of the thin portion 29 oftop adapter 21 is a vent opening 34 into the top of container 31. Whenthe container 31 is completely inserted into the liquid dispenser 1 and22, the thick portion 30 causes opening 33 to fit snugly up againstTeflon washer seal 11 (FIG. 2) or 9 (FIG. 6). In this position tube 35of container 31 is in communication with tube 4 of FIG. 2, or tube 28 ofFIG. 6 of the liquid dispenser I or 22, with a properly sealedconnection through Teflon washer seal 11 or 9. Since opening 34 is onthe thin portion 29 of top plate, same does not fit snugly up againstthe liquid dispenser I or 22, therefore air can enter opening 34 torelieve vacuum formed in container 31 when the liquid chemical leavesthe container 31 through tube 35.

Enlarged tube sections 60 and 61 (FIG. 3) of dispenser l and enlargedtube sections 58 and 59 (FIG. 6) of dispenser 22 allow input out outputpipes to be attached thereto while maintaining constant tube interiordimensions. In FIG. 6 input port 24 of dispenser 22 (FIG. 6) is largerthan output port 25. One inch pipe would be connected to the input port24 of dispenser 22 and three-quarter inch pipe would be connected tooutput port 25. The larger input passage 24 is associated with a reducedvelocity head. The dispenser 22 has reduced pressure drop through it,since pressure drop is proportional to the rate offlow. Dispenser 1(FIG. 2) is intended to be more economical than dispenser 22, and itoperates satisfactorily, however, without the larger input port.

The installation of dispenser 22 in FIG. 8 does not require a bypasssuch as line 12 of the installation of dispenser 1 in FIG. 7. A lessexpensive equivalent to the built-in bypass passage 53, with controlvalve 55 of dispenser 22, is added to the installation of dispenser 1 inFIG. 7 in which high-pressure water flows from anti siphon valve 41 andsplits to flow in part to line 43 and in part to line 12. The portion offlow into line 43 (FIG. 7) is dependent upon the setting of valve 13.When valve 13 is manually closed by handle 64, all of the flow isthrough line 43. When valve 13 is partially opened, there is less flowthrough line 43. The effect of valve 13 is to provide an adjustablebypass for liquid dispenser I so as to control its rate of suction andthus the degree of liquid chemical dilution emitted from sprinkler heads46.

Tracks 66 and 40 of dispensers 22 and l are inclined with respect to thehorizontal plane for two purposes: firstly, to more securely attach thecontainer 31 to the dispenser without it slipping out; and secondly, totilt the container 31 so that tube 35 can more completely empty theliquid chemical contents thereof. Tube 35 is cut at an angle at itstermination at the bottom of container 31 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10.The purpose of this is not to allow it to completely empty thecontainers liquid contents, since there may be a solidified residue atthe bottom of the container which might clog the small ports 18 and 27of the tubes 19 and 26.

The ten small diameter ports 18 and 27 allow the same large suction rateof liquid chemical as would fewer large diameter ports. However, thesmaller diameter ports minimally perturb the flow in the small sections19 and 26 of the venturi tube, thus minimizing the possibility ofcavitation being set up at large flow rates. Such cavitation would notallow the pressure at sections 19 and 26 to go below atmospheric to suckliquid chemical from the container 31.

Obviously a screw-top liquid container 310 may be used with thedispensers 1 and 22, same being illustrated in FIG. 10. In thismodification the neck of the container is provided with the usualexternal screw threads engaging the internal screw threads in a cap 31bsecured to the underside of the thick portion 30 of the top adapterplate 21, the tube 35 passing through the center of the cap 31!; andthrough the thick por' tion 30 of the adapter plate 21, and the venthole 34 communicating with the interior of the container 31a through thecap 31b.

l have thus provided a combined liquid dispenser and uniquely attachedliquid container; a container having a unique shape for attachment tothe dispenser; an adapter that allows conventional screw-top liquidcontainers to be attached to the dispenser; an adjustable bypass eitherbuilt-in as in the dispenser arrangement of FIG, 6, or added in theinstallation as in the dispenser arrangement of FIG. 7, for the controlof the suction rate.

lclaim:

1. In combination with a source of liquid under pressure, a dispenserhaving an inlet and an outlet; a venturi in the dispenser connectingsaid inlet and outlet, and having a converging portion, a reducedportion and a diverging portion; an annular chamber surrounding thereduced portion having ports extending therethrough; a duct in thedispenser leading from the chamber and opening through the bottom of thedispenser; parallel guides formed at the bottom of the dispenser; aremovable liquid chemical container having a top adapter plate slidablyinserted in said guides, said container having a suction tube thereinadapted to register with the said duct; a vent duct in said adapterplate open to the atmosphere and communicating with the interior of thecontainer; a main pipe connecting the liquid pressure source with thedispenser inlet; and a valved bypass for controlling the degree ofsuction within the annular chamber around said reduced portion of theventuri, thereby controlling the amount of liquid chemical drawn intothe liquid passing through the venturi to the outlet of the dispenser.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said bypass comprising abypass pipe disposed exteriorly of the dispenser and connecting the mainpipe in advance of the dispenser inlet with the dispenser outlet; and anadjustable valve in said bypass pipe for controlling the amount ofliquidfrom the pressure source passing to the dispenser inlet.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, a built-in web in the boreof the dispenser dividing the bore into first and second separatepassages, each communicating with the inlet and outlet of the dispenser;said first passage forming the venturi; said second passage forming thebypass; and an adjustable valve in said second passage for controllingthe flow of liquid therethrough and hence the rate of flow through thesaid venturi.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said guides in thedispenser for the adapter plate being inclined with respect to thehorizontal plane to more securely attach the same to the dispenser andto permit the container to be completely emptied by suction ofthesuction tube.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said ports between thereduced portion of the venturi and the annular chamber comprising aseries of holes of small diameter to prevent cavitation during high flowrates through the venturi.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said adapter plate having athin end portion through which the vent duct is formed, and a thick endportion formed with a hole receivin' the upper end of the suction tubeof the container and adapted to seat firmly against a washer seal in thebottom of the dispenser around the dispenser duct; said container beingsecured to the underside of the adapter plate.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, the container having ascrew cap, and said cap being secured to the under side of the adapterplate at the thick end portion; the suction tube of the containerpassing through the cap and thick end portion, and the vent ductcommunicating with the interior ol the container through said cap.

8. In combination with a source of liquid under pressure, a dispenserhaving an inlet and an outlet; a venturi in the dispenser connectingsaid inlet and outlet, and having a converging portion,a reduced portionand a diverging portion; a duct in the dis'penserleading from thereduced portion and opening through the bottom of the dispenser;parallel guides formed at the bottom of the dispenser; a removableliquid chemical container having a top adapter plate slidably insertedin said guides, said container having a suction tube therein adapted toregister with said duct; and a vent duct in said adapter plate open tothe atmosphere and communicating with the interior of the container.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 8, said guides in thedispenser for the adapter plate being at an angle between the horizontaland vertical planes so as to cause the bottom of the suction tube of thecontainer to be located close to the lowest portion of the insertedcontainer so as to permit the container to be completely emptied bysuction of the suction tube.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 8, said adapter plate havinga thin end portion through which the vent duct is formed, and a thickend portion formed with a hole receiving the upper end of the suctiontube of the container and adapted to seat firmly against a washer sealin the bottom of the dispenser around the dispenser duct; said containerbeing secured 'to the underside of the adapter plate.

11. In a combination as set forth in claim 10, the container having ascrew cap, and said cap being secured to the underside of the adapterplate at the thick end portion; the suction tube of the containerpassing through the cap and thick end portion, and the vent ductcommunicating with the interior of the container through said cap. a

12. In combination with a source of liquid under pressure, a dispenserhaving an inlet and an outlet; a venturi in the dispenser connectingsaid inlet and outlet, and having a converging portion, a reducedportion and a diverging portion; a duct in the dispenser leading leadingfrom the reduced portion and opening through the side of the dispenser;parallel guides formed at the side adapter plate slidably inserted insaid guides, said container having a suction tube therein adapted toregister with said duct; and a vent duct in said adapter plate open tothe atmosphere and communicating with the interior of the container.

13. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, said guides in thedispenser for the adapter plate being at any angle between thehorizontal and vertical planes so as to cause the bottom of the suctiontube of the container to be located close to the lowest portion of theinserted container so as to permit the container to be completelyemptied by suction of the suction tube.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, said adapter plate havinga thin end portion through which the vent duct is formed, and a thickend portion formed with a hole receiving the upper end of the suctiontube of the container and adapted to seat firmly against a washer sealin the side of the dispenser around the dispenser duct; said containerbeing secured to the side of the adapter plate.

15. In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the container having ascrew cap, and said cap being secured to the side of v the adapter plateat the thick end portion; the suction tube of the container passingthrough the cap and thick end portion,

and the vent duct communicating with the interior of the containerthrough said cap.

1. In combination with a source of liquid under pressure, a dispenserhaving an inlet and an outlet; a venturi in the dispenser connectingsaid inlet and outlet, and having a converging portion, a reducedportion and a diverging portion; an annular chamber surrounding thereduced portion having ports extending therethrough; a duct in thedispenser leading from the chamber and opening through the bottom of thedispenser; parallel guides formed at the bottom of the dispenser; aremovable liquid chemical container having a top adapter plate slidablyinserted in said guides, said container having a suction tube thereinadapted to register with the said duct; a vent duct in said adapterplate open to the atmosphere and communicating with the interior of thecontainer; a main pipe connecting the liquid pressure source with thedispenser inlet; and a valved bypass for controlling the degree ofsuction within the annular chamber Around said reduced portion of theventuri, thereby controlling the amount of liquid chemical drawn intothe liquid passing through the venturi to the outlet of the dispenser.2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said bypass comprising abypass pipe disposed exteriorly of the dispenser and connecting the mainpipe in advance of the dispenser inlet with the dispenser outlet; and anadjustable valve in said bypass pipe for controlling the amount ofliquid from the pressure source passing to the dispenser inlet.
 3. In acombination as set forth in claim 1, a built-in web in the bore of thedispenser dividing the bore into first and second separate passages,each communicating with the inlet and outlet of the dispenser; saidfirst passage forming the venturi; said second passage forming thebypass; and an adjustable valve in said second passage for controllingthe flow of liquid therethrough and hence the rate of flow through thesaid venturi.
 4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said guidesin the dispenser for the adapter plate being inclined with respect tothe horizontal plane to more securely attach the same to the dispenserand to permit the container to be completely emptied by suction of thesuction tube.
 5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said portsbetween the reduced portion of the venturi and the annular chambercomprising a series of holes of small diameter to prevent cavitationduring high flow rates through the venturi.
 6. In a combination as setforth in claim 1, said adapter plate having a thin end portion throughwhich the vent duct is formed, and a thick end portion formed with ahole receiving the upper end of the suction tube of the container andadapted to seat firmly against a washer seal in the bottom of thedispenser around the dispenser duct; said container being secured to theunderside of the adapter plate.
 7. In a combination as set forth inclaim 6, the container having a screw cap, and said cap being secured tothe underside of the adapter plate at the thick end portion; the suctiontube of the container passing through the cap and thick end portion, andthe vent duct communicating with the interior of the container throughsaid cap.
 8. In combination with a source of liquid under pressure, adispenser having an inlet and an outlet; a venturi in the dispenserconnecting said inlet and outlet, and having a converging portion, areduced portion and a diverging portion; a duct in the dispenser leadingfrom the reduced portion and opening through the bottom of thedispenser; parallel guides formed at the bottom of the dispenser; aremovable liquid chemical container having a top adapter plate slidablyinserted in said guides, said container having a suction tube thereinadapted to register with said duct; and a vent duct in said adapterplate open to the atmosphere and communicating with the interior of thecontainer.
 9. In a combination as set forth in claim 8, said guides inthe dispenser for the adapter plate being at an angle between thehorizontal and vertical planes so as to cause the bottom of the suctiontube of the container to be located close to the lowest portion of theinserted container so as to permit the container to be completelyemptied by suction of the suction tube.
 10. In a combination as setforth in claim 8, said adapter plate having a thin end portion throughwhich the vent duct is formed, and a thick end portion formed with ahole receiving the upper end of the suction tube of the container andadapted to seat firmly against a washer seal in the bottom of thedispenser around the dispenser duct; said container being secured to theunderside of the adapter plate.
 11. In a combination as set forth inclaim 10, the container having a screw cap, and said cap being securedto the underside of the adapter plate at the thick end portion; thesuction tube of the container passing through the cap and thick endportion, and the vent duct communicating with the interior of thecontainer through said cap.
 12. In combination with a source of liquidunder pressure, a dispenser having an inlet and an outlet; a venturi inthe dispenser connecting said inlet and outlet, and having a convergingportion, a reduced portion and a diverging portion; a duct in thedispenser leading leading from the reduced portion and opening throughthe side of the dispenser; parallel guides formed at the side adapterplate slidably inserted in said guides, said container having a suctiontube therein adapted to register with said duct; and a vent duct in saidadapter plate open to the atmosphere and communicating with the interiorof the container.
 13. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, saidguides in the dispenser for the adapter plate being at any angle betweenthe horizontal and vertical planes so as to cause the bottom of thesuction tube of the container to be located close to the lowest portionof the inserted container so as to permit the container to be completelyemptied by suction of the suction tube.
 14. In a combination as setforth in claim 12, said adapter plate having a thin end portion throughwhich the vent duct is formed, and a thick end portion formed with ahole receiving the upper end of the suction tube of the container andadapted to seat firmly against a washer seal in the side of thedispenser around the dispenser duct; said container being secured to theside of the adapter plate.
 15. In a combination as set forth in claim14, the container having a screw cap, and said cap being secured to theside of the adapter plate at the thick end portion; the suction tube ofthe container passing through the cap and thick end portion, and thevent duct communicating with the interior of the container through saidcap.